Visual Impairments

CAD + SPED (Visual Impairments)

This SF State Scholars Program integrates the Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential with the Masters in Special Education plus the credential program in Visual Impairment. The Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential prepares students who wish to become elementary school teachers or K-12 special education teachers. The Masters of Arts in Special Education (SPED) supports the mastery of a broad range of learning in inclusive, equitable special education support services, and fosters students’ development as practitioners, researchers, and educational leaders. The Visual Impairment (VI) credential program prepares highly qualified teachers using research-based curricula and pedagogy to provide quality educational services to students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, birth through age 22. Graduates of this blended program will be prepared for employment as teachers of blind and low vision students, leaders and service providers in blindness organizations, or any role that requires expertise in differentiating teaching and learning for low incidence populations including visual impairments and deafblindness. The program fulfills the Basic Skills Requirement and the Subject Matter Competency Requirement and reduces the time and overall cost of the credential and graduate degree. This program has a unique application process since it also includes a credential.

Highlights

  • Getting the most out of your time: Candidates save at least one semester in time/tuition and can take up to 15 graduate units at the undergraduate rate (up to 12 units can be double counted towards the bachelor’s and master’s degrees).
  • Program curriculum builds in test waivers for Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST tests).
  • Advising: Every student is assigned a VI faculty advisor.
  • Experiences: Coursework, field experiences/ student teaching, and other related activities within the credential program have a foundation on inclusion and equity-centered practices, emphasizing service delivery that is asset-based, culturally-responsive, and interdisciplinary.
  • Careers: Students are ready for careers as teachers of the visually impaired immediately upon graduation. Graduates of our programs are prepared for employment as teachers of blind and low vision students, leaders and service providers in blindness organizations, or any role that requires expertise in differentiating teaching and learning for low incidence populations including visual impairments and deafblindness.

Degrees & Credentials

Earn the following after completing the program:

Timeline

SF State Scholars Roadmap

Students should apply for the SF State Scholars program after they have completed 60 units (typically after their sophomore year and during their junior year). During their senior year, students will be taking a combination of undergraduate and graduate level coursework.

Example Roadmap

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